The Vatican Tickets








From happy customers

Loved by 35 million+
MARTIN LEVITT
US

Martin

United States
Jul 2025
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Well organized, simple,instructions, excellent value, on time etc The Uber dropped us off at the provided address and it was perfect.
Jennifer Lomas
US

Jennifer

United States
Jul 2025
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+2 more

We toured all the major areas and some of the gardens including the Sistine Chapel in about 3.5 hours. The flow through the Vatican was well thought out, some areas were more congested than others, but nothing unexpected or uncomfortable for such a popular destination.
Marie Sharp
GB

Marie

United Kingdom
Jul 2025
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It was really busy queues massive but having booked tickets we walked straight in and so glad we added the bus tour to our tickets as that was really enjoyable, it was a great day.
Díaz Diego Sebastian
ES

Díaz

Spain
Jul 2025
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The truth was all very well, there are lines because there are many people, and the museum is to go 2 times because it is very large to see everything.
Juan Carlos Gutirrez Madrid
HN

Juan

Honduras
Jul 2025
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Very good experience, Joaquina (our guide in Spanish) a success!!!! We were able to make our dream come true and the tour was more than we expected, her kindness and patience to explain everything was the top of the tour. Highly recommended. What we liked the most was not having to wait in the long lines and the complications to enter St. Peter's Basilica, since being part of the tour allows you to access everything faster!
Stephanie Cordova
CA

Stephanie

Canada
Jul 2025
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Paulina was a star! In the heat and in the crowds she led our group through the Vatican museum, Sistine chapel and led us to St Peter's Basilica (where she did pre instruction as she cannot guide there. Our family learned a lot we would not know without the tour.
Hunter Brabham
US

Hunter

United States
Jul 2025
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+2 more

As someone with no base knowledge besides that the Vatican is the home of Catholicism. This was a great way for me to learn about all of Vatican City and the history of it. I would have been wandering around aimlessly without my tour
ABDEL AGUILAR
PA

Abdel

Panama
Jun 2025
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I really liked the cordiality of the guides and the simplicity of the tour, along with the information provided. We started a few minutes after the agreed time, but it was still excellent.

Top things to do in Rome

What is the Papal Audience?

Have you ever wanted to see the Pope in real life? The Papal Audience is a great opportunity to do so. Every Wednesday at St. Peter's Square, the Pope greets and addresses pilgrims from all over the world. The Pope greets and addresses a gathering of Christian pilgrims, devotees, and inspired visitors around St. Peter’s Square. The Papal Audience is seen as a way for the Pope to keep in personal touch with his followers and strengthen their faith through his messages.

The Pope makes a reading and delivers a short sermon followed by the final prayer and a bestowal of Papal blessings. These are delivered in Italian, though, short summaries are provided in English and other languages.

  • Venue: Usually held in St. Peter’s Square; during inclement weather or extreme temperatures, it's moved to the Paul VI Audience Hall.
  • Time: Begins around 9am; security opens by 7:30am.
  • Duration: Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

A tradition that brings people together

The General Audience was started as early as 1939 by Pope Pius XII with the intention of praying for newly married couples. It ceased temporarily during World War II and resumed again in 1963 under Pope Paul VI to include all the faithful while speaking on themes each week such as hope, faith, and charity.

Over the decades, it has grown into a weekly event held (usually) every Wednesday, either in St. Peter’s Square or the Paul VI Hall. Pilgrims, families, and travelers alike attend—some for spiritual guidance, others simply for the rare opportunity to see the Pope in person. No matter your reason, you’ll be part of a deeply moving moment in the heart of Vatican life.

How can I attend the Papal Audience?

Crowd gathered at St. Peter's Basilica for new pope announcement, Vatican City.

Attending the Papal Audience is always free, but tickets are required for the main seated and standing sections to help manage crowds and ensure safety.

Tickets do not assign you a specific seat—they simply grant access to a particular section or area. Seating is always first-come, first-served: the earlier you arrive, the better your spot will be.

You can still attend without a ticket, but you’ll be limited to standing at the back of St. Peter’s Square. For a better view and overall experience, it’s best to request tickets at least 1 month in advance, especially in peak season.

Note: Newlyweds married within two months can request special seating (“sposi novelli” section) via the Prefecture.

How do I get Papal audience tickets?

third party

1. Request directly from the Vatican

  • Website: Submit your request through the Prefecture of the Papal Household's official website.
  • Timing: It's advisable to request tickets at least 2 weeks in advance.
  • Pickup: Collect your tickets at the Bronze Door (under the right-hand colonnade of St. Peter's Square) between 3pm and 7pm on the day before the audience, or between 7am and 10am on the day of the audience.
person writing an email to venue

2. Email request

  • Email: Send your request to visitorsoffice@pnac.org.
  • Details: Include the date of the audience, number of tickets, names, and contact information.
  • Pickup: Upon confirmation, you will be able to pick your ticket up at the Trevi Fountain between 3am and 7am. Specific instructions for ticket collection will be provided upon confirmation.
Swiss Guards

3. In-person request via the Swiss Guards

  • Location: Approach the Swiss Guards at the Bronze Door in St. Peter's Square.
  • Timing: Available 3 days prior to the audience.
  • Note: Tickets are limited and subject to availability; this method is not recommended during peak seasons.
Small group exploring St. Peter's Basilica interior on guided tour, Vatican City.

4. Book a guided Papal Audience tour

For a seamless and enriching experience, consider booking the Papal Audience tour. This package includes:

  • Guaranteed seating at the Papal Audience with invitation to the Vatican Papal Audience.
  • Guided tour of the Papal Audience.

This option ensures you have a reserved spot and provides insightful commentary, enhancing your understanding of the event's significance.

Important notes:

  • For groups of 10 or more, advance reservation is required.
  • Tickets grant access to designated sections but do not guarantee specific seats; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Plan your visit to Papal audience

Vatican City crowd attending mass in St. Peter's Square.

The General Audience with the Pope happens every Wednesday and usually begins at 9am. Security usually allows visitors in by 7:30am.

The Pope’s official schedule is made known days ahead of the event. You can also refer to the Papal Audience calendar for dates when the event is held.

There are times when the Pope is overseas or is engaged in some work in which case the Papal Audience will not be held for that week.

Papal Audience

The Papal audience is held in the spacious St. Peter’s Square close to St. Peter’s Basilica. During the Winter and the rainy season, if weather conditions are unfavorable, the Papal audience is held at the Hall of The Pontifical Audiences, also called the Papal Hall, which can accommodate over 6000 visitors.

During the Italian holiday period in August, the Pope may reside in his summer residence - Castel Gandolfo, in which case the gathering will be held there.

Getting to the Vatican
Papal Audience

A casual dress code is followed during a Papal Audience since it happens outdoors. Being modestly dressed is still strongly advised. Shorts or dresses exposing the knees, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, and baseball caps inside the churches are not allowed. Ladies are required to cover up their shoulders if the meetings are held indoors.

Due to the heat, you may also want to bring sun hats, sunscreen, and water to keep yourself cool and protected. Men are permitted to wear hats throughout the Audience.

Read More on Vatican Dress Code
Papal Audience

Staff at the Papal Audience prioritize seating for wheelchair users. Wheelchair users are invited to sit in a premium seating location to the right of the Pope’s speaking platform and may even get a chance to interact with the Pope after the event has concluded.

Plan Your Visit to Vatican City
Papal Audience
  • Upon his arrival, as the Pope ascends the speaking platform, you are allowed to greet the Pope at the discretion of security.
  • Photography is allowed but without flash or tripods. Silence your mobile phones and maintain respectful behavior throughout the audience. Applause is encouraged at appropriate moments.
  • Large bags, backpacks, umbrellas, and sharp objects are not allowed. Only small handbags or clear plastic bags are permitted.
  • Food and drink are generally not allowed inside the audience area, except water.
  • Children are welcome but must be supervised at all times. Strollers are generally not allowed inside the seated areas.
  • Selling or distributing goods, flyers, or services within the audience area is strictly prohibited.
Rules & Regulations in Detail
  • Arrive early and aim for a seat along the central aisle to increase your chances of a close-up view as the Pope passes by in the Popemobile.
  • Photography is allowed, but use cameras respectfully—avoid flash or large equipment to not disrupt the audience.
  • Travel light to breeze through security; only small bags are allowed, and items like sharp objects, glass containers, and large backpacks are prohibited.
  • Bring rosaries, medals, or other religious items to receive the Pope’s Apostolic Blessing at the end of the audience.
  • “Saving seats” is frowned upon. For the best chance at sitting together, arrive as a group and enter the square when the gates open.
  • St. Peter’s Square is exposed to the elements. Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat—especially in summer—as you may be outside for several hours.

What to expect during a Papal audience?

People from all over the world visit the Vatican with the hope of seeing the Pope and listening to his words of wisdom. Experience the following while you’re there:

Pope Leo XIV addressing audience at Vatican City during Papal Audience Viewing Experience.

Papal address

The Pope, as the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church and successor to Saint Peter, holds a central role in guiding the faithful. During the Papal Audience, he often engages personally with the crowd—shaking hands, signing autographs, and greeting people from the Popemobile around 9am. He then delivers a catechetical teaching, offering reflections on themes like faith, hope, and charity, rooted in Scripture and aimed at inspiring Catholics worldwide.

Papal Audience

St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter's Square, also known as Piazza San Pietro in Italian, is a massive open space located in Vatican City where the Papal audience is usually held. The square was built in the mid-17th century and is known for its grandeur, symmetry, and stunning Baroque architecture. It is oval in shape and measures approximately 240 meters in length and 180 meters in width, surrounded by colonnades of 284 Doric pillars symbolizing the arms of the Church.

Visit St. Peter's Square
Priest reading church bible during mass

Sermon and prayers

In his address to the faithful, the Pope will make a reading from the Gospels and disseminate small teachings in the form of a sermon based on the readings. To accommodate the international assembly, summaries of the Pope's message are provided in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Polish, and Arabic. He will also say the Our Father in Latin.

Pilgrim at St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, during Jubilee 2025 event.

Apostolic blessing

The audience concludes with the Pope imparting the Apostolic Blessing. This blessing extends not only to those present but also to their loved ones, especially the sick and suffering. Attendees are encouraged to bring religious articles such as rosaries, medals, and prayer cards, which the Pope blesses during this time.

Frequently asked questions about the Papal audience in Vatican City

Do I need to be Catholic to attend the Papal Audience?

No, the Papal Audience is open to individuals of all faiths and backgrounds. It's an opportunity to hear the Pope's teachings and receive his blessing.

Is there a fee to attend the Papal Audience?

No, tickets to the Papal Audience are entirely free. Be cautious of any third parties attempting to sell tickets, as this is not authorized.

Can I attend the Papal Audience without a ticket?

While tickets are required for seated areas, individuals without tickets may still attend by standing in the open sections of St. Peter's Square. However, space is limited, and early arrival is recommended.

What is the dress code for attending the Papal Audience?

Modest attire is required. Both men and women should ensure shoulders and knees are covered. This dress code is strictly enforced, and non-compliance may result in denied entry.

Where is Papal Audience held?

The Papal Audience is usually held in St. Peter’s square of the Vatican. When the weather becomes cold or rainy, the Papal Audience is held indoors within the Papal Hall.

When was the Papal Hall built?

The construction of the Papal Hall was started in 1963 and inaugurated in 1971. It was designed by Italian engineer and architect Pier Luigi Nervi.

Are children allowed at the Papal Audience?

Yes, children are welcome to attend. It's a family-friendly event, but parents should prepare for large crowds and ensure children are supervised at all times.

How long is the Papal Audience?

The Papal Audience takes about an hour and a half to complete but may extend to two hours.

What can I do at Papal Audience?

At the Papal Audience, you will get a chance to see the Pope live. You can listen to his teaching and receive his blessings. You will also get a chance to see St. Peter’s square, a magnificent oval pavilion.

Can I take photos at Papal Audience?

Yes, taking photos and selfies is permitted at a Papal Audience.

Can I talk to the Pope in a Papal Audience?

During his arrival and exit, the Pope meets and greets the public under strict security measures. Unless you are part of the special groups seated near the speaking platform like disabled visitors and newlyweds, you will not get a chance to meet the Pope personally.

Can I bring religious items to be blessed?

Yes, the Pope imparts an Apostolic Blessing at the conclusion of the audience, which extends to religious articles such as rosaries and medals. Simply have them with you during the blessing.

What happens in case of bad weather?

In the event of inclement weather, the Papal Audience may be relocated to the Paul VI Audience Hall. Ticket holders will be informed of any changes accordingly.

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